Acetylene-gas generator.



PATENTED PEB. 21, 1905.

F. L. H. SIMS. AGETYLBNE GAS GBNBRATR. v APPLICATION FILED APB. 29,1902

/vi'hmoaeo UNTTED STATES Patented February 21, 1905.

PATENT OEEICE.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 782,995, dated February 21, 1905.

Application led April 29, 1902. Serial No. 105,242.

T0 @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK LINDLEY HUNT Sins, mechanical engineer, of the village of Weston, in the county of York, Irovince of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Generating Acetylene from Carbid of Calcium, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for generating acetylene from carbid of calcium of that class where preferably granulated carbid is fed into a large body of water. It has for its objects:

First. The doing away with the expense and danger of gasometers or storage-tanks for the gas, leaving' practically no gas in the system except what is in the service-pipes and yet maintaining a practically uniform pressure at Y the burners and throughout the system.

Second. The reduction of the vapor of generation to a minimum.

Third. The perfect drying of the gas before it enters the service-pipes and the accomplishing of this without any special washers, purifiers, or similar parts, this object being attained by the special arrangement of parts having as their primary object a d ierent function.

Fourth. To overcome the clogging at the valve-aperture whether above or below the orifice through which carbid drops into the generating-chamber through the slacking of carbid about the same or the formation of plug-lumps on connecting-rods, which has hitherto been the most vexatious hindrance to the success of machines of this class.

Fifth. To provide a machine absolutely safe and that can be looked after by persons of the lowest intelligence and safely recharged while in operation, though not havingastorage-tank or gasometer. Most machines hitherto represented as rechargeable during operation are not really so, but simply have a storage from which lights are supplied While the operation of the machine proper issuspended to allow of recharging. My intention, however, has been to provide a machine that suspends none of its normal functions while being recharged and that hence shall be simple and Afree from danger.

Sixth. To provide a simple mechanical construction strong, durable, and safe, to reduce the size and weight in regard to capacity to a minimum, and to increase the life of the machine.

Seventh. Incidentally to make many minor improvements that will appear to any one familiar with the art in perusing the description now to follow.

Figure l of the drawings is an axial section of the machine, except the tubular feed-valve and shaker-bar and its chain, which are shown in full form, at right angles to the arms of the tubular feed-valve. Fig. 2 is an axial section of the lower part of the barrel of the machine, showing the tubular feed-valve in cross-sec` tion, and is therefore a section at ninety degrees from 'the line of section in Fig. l and on the same scale. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the parts at the top of the machine. Fig. 4 is a plan of part of Fig. 3, and Figs. 5 and 6 a detail of the key used in opening the machine to recharge.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

It will be seen at once that the machine presents four main divisions-namely, the tank A, Fig'. l, the generating-chamber B, shaped like a diving-bell, preferably larger below than above and having in its conical roof (the lower cone of the hour-glass-shapedcasting Gr, Figs. l and 2) an aperture leading into the carbid-containing or governor chamber J, as also the two pipes f/ g, Fig. 2, the carbidcontaining or governor chamber J having its top formed by the bottom of the carbid-reservoir' O and the carbid-reservoir O having preferably a funnel-shaped bottom with an aperture communicating with the governorchamber J at its lowest point. There is also in large machines the water-jacket I, Figs. l and 2, a triangular annular chamber formed by the outside of the hour-glass-shaped casting G and the inner side of the barrel B; but as the lower part of the hour-glass-shaped casting in small machines is omitted, leaving a mere cone or funnel to form the bottom of the governor-chamber J, the chamber or water-jacket l is not present in all my machines IOO and is therefore not a main or essential division.

Now, beginning at thel top of the machine, for the purpose of enabling the carbid-reservoir C to be easily recharged with carbid from time to time, as desired, 1 provide the castiron finial U, Figs. 1 and 3, with its ordinary threaded neck, wasl'ler-seat, and aperture. On this is screwed the gland or collar e, plan of which is shown in Fig. 4t, provided at the top with a raised boss in which are two indentations with rounded or slantingedges c c, Figs. 3 and Lf. Through the center of the gland c is bored and tapped the hole c2, through which is screwed the tail of the bolt-shaped boxvvrench D, Figs. 1 and 3, provided on its upper head with indentations (Z 2, similar to the indentations c of the gland c, not running quite through the depth of the head, but ending in a shroud or web (Z2 to prevent a key or wrench being slipped down past the head of the box-wrench D to engage the gland or collar c. box-wrench D is made to fit very tightly in the tapped hole c2 of the gland c, and when the box-wrench Dis screwed down tight on the collar c a gas-tight joint is insured by the washer (Z2, whose plan is shown by the dotted circles in Fig. 4. To avoid interference with the key K, Figs. 5 and 6, this washerdoes not pass over the indentations c' c. rlhe aperture cl i of the box-wrench D is preferably sq naresectioned and is adapted to fit snuglyover the square-headed upper end of the cheek-valve spindle D. (See Figs. 1 and 3.) The key K, Figs. 5 and 6, has its two teeth 1 adapted to fit indifferently into the indentations e e or d (,Z' and is further provided with the shroud f.

Before describing the operation of the parts K, D, and e it will be better to describe also the shoe E, preferably of galvanized cast-iron soldered fast to the bottom of the funnel forming the bottom of the carbid-reservoir C, about the aperture there communicating with the governor-chamber J.' This shoe E, Fig. 1, has two or more legs above, entering within the carbid-reservoir C and unitingI to form the nut e, through which the checkvalve spindle D' screws up and down. At its lower aperture the shoe E has a valve-seat turned to a knife-edge e, into which the conical valve D2 is adapted to fit. This valve is rigidly keyed with a gas-tightjoint to the check-valve spindle D' at its lower end below the nut e and within the governor-chamber J and is adapted as it rises, turning, to grind away any lumps of carbid on its side, making what ,l believe to be the only feasible durable practically gas-tight granulated-carbid valve. rlhe conical valve D2 is preferably chilled cast-iron finished true on its conical face by grinding', and the knife-edge on the shoe E is preferably case-hardened. lt may be here mentioned that the shoe E has also a side extension pro- 'lhe screw-thread al of the tail of the.

vided with a lug e, with a threaded aperture corresponding' to an aperture in the side of the barrel B. Into this lug the service-pipe @2 is firmly screwed, the lug thus providing a solid point of aflixture for the service-pipe and at the same time bracing the shoe E against being twisted off the bottom of the earbid-reservoir G when the valve D2 is screwed firmly up to its seat.

To open the carbid-reservoir to the outer air for recharging, the key K is fitted, with its key into the indentations Z2 of the head of the box-wrench D and the box-wrench unscrewed until it jams tight, which it will do when the valve-spindle D', turning with the box-wrench, (owing to its upper square end d being' within the square aperture Z of the boxwrench D.) has u-nscrewed through thenut e at its lower end far enough to bring the valve D2 firmly up against the knife-edged valveseat @2, closing the aperture at the bottom of the carbid-reservoir C, and so cutting the earbid-reseiw'oir C off' absolutely from communication with the rest of the machine. If an attempt be made to remove the key K from the head of the box-wrench D to unscrew with it the collar or gland e before the boxwrench D has been unscrewed enough to seat the valve D2 and cut off communication between the carbid-reservoir and the rest of the machine, it will be found that it cannot be successfuly accomplished, because the vertical height of the key K will prevent effective hold being taken of the gland or collar e until thev head of the box-wrench D is unscrewed high enough to allow the body of the wrench Kto be slipped in a horizontal plane between the under side of the head of the box-wrench D and the top of the boss on the gland or collar e. l/V hen this has been done and the shroud f: of the key K fitted close up to the tail of the boxwrench, the key K can be readily pushed down, with its two teeth /i fitting onel each into the two indentations de' of the gland or collar c.

The shrouds (il effectuall y prevent the key being slipped down the indentations of the head int engagement with the indentations of the boss. lf an attempt be madeto usethe key K on the collar or gland c as a cant-hook with only one of its teeth 7;' fitting in one indentation c' of the gland or collar c and the other resting on the periphery it will take no hold, but slip immediately, owing to the curved or slanting edges of the inden'tations c d, Fig. 4; but when the box-wrench D is so unscrewed high enough to allow the key to take proper hold of the gland, as above, the valve D2 is set firmly on its seat e2, the thickness of the key K being proportioned exactly to the allowed rise of the valve D2. Hence it is impossible to get at the gland or collar c, the unscrewing of which opens the carbid-reservoir to the outer air for recharging', until eolnmunication between the carbid-reservoir and the rest of the apparatus has been ab- IOO IOS

IIS

when, as the box-wrench will of course not i unscrew any more, since it is already jammed, the collar or gland c screws upon the tail d of the box-wrench l), putting the wrench K L 77 in chancery by catching 1t between the top of the gland c and the under side of the head of the box-wrench D. it can only be got out (unless some other tool be used) by screwing the collar or gland c in place again, and hence there is no human probability that the key K will be used to screw down the box-wrench again until the collar or gland c is iirst screwed down. 1t could only happen through bad faithnot through inattention or carelessness. This prevents communication being reestablished between the carbidreservoir C and the rest of the apparatus until the aperture leading to the outer air through the iinial C has been closed by screwing on the gland or collar c, which makes a gas-tight joint by means of the washer c.

/Vhen it is desired to close the carbid-reservoir after recharging, the boX wrench, gland, and key are lifted together by the handles of the key and the box-wrench D fitted over the valve-spindle D', the aperture (Z1 engaging the square end d, as above. The gland or collar c is now screwed down tight on the washer a3, and, the box-wrench remain-- ing stationary meantime, owingI to the friction grip of the valve l)2 on the knife-edged valve-seat c3, the collar or gland c screws down about the tail (Z of the box-wrench just as before it screwed up, 'and thus leaves room to free the key K and lit it in turn to the indentations (Zirliof the box-wrench D and in turn screw it down tight on the washer al, thus closing the carbid-reservoir and putting the parts in as they were before removal. it will thus be seen that by the means shown at the` top of Fig. land in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 although the carbid-reservoir C may be opened and closed at will it cannot be done without closing or cutting oli' communication between the carbid-reservoir and the rest of the apparatus before the carbid-reservoir can be opened to recharge or without reestablishing such communication between the carbid-reservoir and the rest of the apparatus before the carbid-reservoir is finally closed after recharging. lt also follows that the carbidreservoir must necessarily be closed against the escape of gas by the first part of the operation of closing (rendered absolutely imperative by the shape and arrangement ofk the parts) before the second part of such operation of closing reestablishes such communication, as aforesaid. The reason for this being so specially provided will appear in the deseription of the operation of the machine to follow.

Coming next to the earbid-holdii'lg or governor chamber J, it will be noted that its bottom is funnel-shaped, the funnel having a main aperture at its apex (which, the funnel being inverted, is its lowest part) stopped normally by the tubular feed-valve H, preferably somewhat iiaring or trumpet-shaped, though it may be a mere piece of tube provided with two opposite arms /1/ Figs. l and i2, making the tubular feed-valve T-shaped, and that to the ends of the arms of this T-shaped tubular feed-valve connecting-rods /t2 Figs. l'

and 2, are iirmly attached, being preferably screwed into same. These connecting-rods connect with the float F, as will be shown in describing the generating-ehamber B. Meantime it will be noted that they pass through two minor apertures in the bottom of the governor-chamber J, these apertures being the upper ends of the pipes or tube-charmels y Figs. l and 2, and that an arched cover of peculiar shape, having notably the formation of the lower part of its sides arch-shaped with the crown of the arch in the middle, (see Fig. 2, L; also Fig. 1. /t,) covers both the T- shaped tubular feed-valve, the rods, and the holes or upper ends of the pipes g y, preventing carbid dropping through to the generating-chamber B or interfering in any way by its weight with the free action of the valve. The cover /1/ also prevents carbid dropping through the tubular valve. The only other feature of the governor-chamber J is the service-pipe e2 at its upper part, from which gasservice is taken. ln connection with the governor-,chamber J may be described the waterjaeliet space I, with the aperture or apertures i' leadinginto same. lt is formed, preferably, by soldering the hour-glass-shaped casting (fr above and below in the lower part of the barrel B with water and gas tight joints, thus isolating' an annular chamber of triangular section I, through which the pipes y] y pass, (forming a way for the connectingrods /tz 702.) This chamber luay be lilled with water through the aperture or apertures to form a condenser or water-jacket, particularly in large machines carrying an eXtra-heavy load. Thirdly, in the generati11g-chamberB will be noticed the annular iioat F, (partly shown in Fig. 2 and dotted all round in Fig. 1,) where it will be seen thatitis normally partially immersed in the water within the generatingchamber, the water reaching just below the line of notation-namely, the dotted line in Fig. Q-when at rest and the machine is outI of use. On the under side of this iioat F on the same diameter, but at opposite sides of the circular opening through it, are the lugs ff, Figs. l and 2, riveted, preferably, thereto and having holes through which the connecting-rods /f have their lower threaded ends IOO IIO

passed, with nuts above and below same to make a strong attachment of the rods to the lugs, and so to the float F. At the same time this connection permits of the ready removal of the rods to prevent damage to the float F in shipping, &c., and also to provide a ready and simple means of adjustment or leveling.

ln very larg'e machines the valve H has three or more arms,and there are three or more connecting-rods and three or more lugsf f, attached to the float F, or three floats are used, one to each rod. As this machine never overgenerates, I show no blow-ofi", as it is useless except where necessary to comply with underwriting rules; but if used it may, ofcourse, be set to blow off at any desired head. The generating-chamber has no bottom,but is held rigidly immersed in the water iii the tank A by thebraces M, riveted orbolted tothe sides ofthe barrel B' and the annular top of the generating-chamber B and having holes in their outer extremities through which bolts secure them to the angle-irons @attached to the sides of the tank A. Three or more braces,&c., are used` according' to size of machine. These braces and their attachments form a simple means of securing the dome of the apparatus in the water-tank and permit its ready removal for shipping', 85e. They also strengthen the dome and stiffen it materially. Their horizontal parts are normally about one inch below the water-level of the tank A, as shown in Fig. 1. Lastly, the tank A has several novel features. lt is provided with a sloping' bottom of preferably shallow V-shaped section, (one slopingside of the V is shownin perspective'in Fig. 1, the section-line of the drawings being along the bottom of the V,) and at the lowest point in the side ofthe tank A is a L perfection faucet or suitable draw-olf cock A2 for drawing off the calcium hydrate residuum formed during the action of the machine. Not quite half-way to the top of the tank directly above the faucet A2 is a special angle-iron bearing afl, with a hole iu its horizontal slide through which the perpendicular part of the shaker-bar Ag passes, the angle-iron n. being riveted to the side of the tank A and the shaker-bar having a boss upon its perpendicular part adapted to rest on the top of the angle-iron a in its normal position to keep the shaker-bar at its proper elevation when at rest. Near the top is a guidestaple a, (half of which only appears in Fig. 1,) riveted also to the side of the tank A and long enough to allow the shaker-bar to be pushed in and out in a radial direction. The shaker-bar at the upper end is formed into the usual handle, but at the end of its lower L-shaped a'rm is formed an eye to which is secured a chain (a equal in length to the side of the inscribed square on the bottom of the tank A and with its end remote from the shaker-bar attached to a second staple ct/,riveted to the side of the tank A. This chain a threshes to and fre in the lower part of the tank A when the handle of the shaker-bar is agitated in a horizontal plane. By raising the handle of the shaker-bar A3 into different planes it will be readily seen that its lower end, in combination with the chain a and its accompanying parts,provides a simple, durable, and effectual means of thoroughly admiX- ing the water and the'calcium hydrate or sludge whenever it is desired to draw off the latter through the faucet A2. To prevent the faucet choking meantime, (the great objection of all users of the carbid to water proeess,) l provide the preferably conical plug er at the lower angle of the shaker-bar. Then sludge has been drawn off, the handle of the shaker-bar A3 is always pushed in and down toward the center of the machine, and the angleiron a3 acting' as a fulcrum and the boss on the bar acting as a gage the conical plug@5 closes the inner aperture of the faucet A2 and renders clogging or plugging' impossible.

Having now described all the parts of the machine, I shall briefly sketch its operation. The service-pipe e2 being connected to the system with burners where gas is to be used, the gas-cocks are turned on, the carbid-reservoir C opened, as described, thereby closing the aperture within at its lowest point by the valve D2 and the carbid put in with a funnel, granulated carbid being used, pea or rice size. The carbid-reservoir is then closed, thereby throwing open the aperture below, and part of the carbid falls immediately into the governor-chamber J, leaving' a space at the top of the carbid-reservoir C, as shown in Fig. 1, in which, to make the drawing clear, all the carbid in C and J is shown in dotted section and treated as though transparent. 1n falling into the governor-chamber J it will be observed that ari annular space of triangular section is left at the top of J, from which the service-pipe leads. A small space is also left within the carbid 7' 4itself in the governor-chamber J under the valve D, the carbid falling at its angle of rest, which is slightly over forty-three degrees. for which reason the funnel-bottoms of C and J are both made [ifty-th ree degrees, being by experiment the best angle to insure feed when bottom apertures are open, and yet not a rushfeed. There is a third empty space in the governor-chamber J under the collector or cover L and within the same. The collector or cover /t has its ends fitted practically gastight against the bottom and sides of the governor-chamber J, so that any gas collecting under it must first lill it and then escape, as hereinafter shown. The carbid is prevented from falling' into the generating-chamber B and tank A by the tubular feed-valve H and cover It, as before described. Water is now poured into the tank till it reaches a height above the top of the generating-chamber B, when it will begin to force out the air IOC TIC

from the generating-chamber B through the tubular feed-valve H, and the pipes g g, and

' the carbid y' to the service-pipe, and so through the burners, until the water rising within the generating-chamber B eventually passes the line of dotation, (see dotted line Fig. 2,) being constantly replenished in the tank A in starting-machine to maintain the level about one inch above the top of the generating-chamber B outside in the tank A. The iioat F now lifts very slightly by means of the rods /f and the arms L, raising slightly the tubular feed-valve H, when, owing to the scientific angle at which, as above described, the funnel-bottom of the governor-chamber J has been designed carbid feeds through the smallest possible opening, instead of through an opening larger than the smallest possible opening, as would be the case. were the sides of the bottom of J say forty-five degrees. The carbid comes also without a rush, and hence the smallest practicable amount of carbid is dropped through the aperture of communication between the governor-chamber J and the generating-chamber B into the water in the inner circle of the annularfloat F. As nothing whatever lies in thc way of the drop, nothing can foul. When the carbid reaches the water, gas instantly forms and rushes up through the tubular valve H in the direction of the straight arrow' in Fig. 2 and also pushes down the water below the line of flotation, when the fioat falls, pulling down the tubular feedvalve H and cutting-off the carbid-feed. The water starts Vto rise again, no more now being added to the tank A, and so the operation is repeated till the air is expelled and gas comes that can be lighted at the burners. Now as the gas is formed from the smallest possible amount of carbid that can be dropped at one time, as above, it is evident that the smallest possible amount of vapor or steam is evolved in its generation, the machine being designed to feed early and often,7 and so comparatively dry gas starts at the outset on its journey through the tubular feed-valve H and the pipes g' g to mass or collect under the cover or collector t. This becoming full, the gas escapes at the highest point of its arched under sides, as shown by the curved arrows, Fig. 2, where any slight moisture in it is taken up by the carbid, as shown by the slightly heavier shade, at the heads of the curved arrows, Fig. 2. Where the waterjacket I is used, moisture is also condensed on the under cone of the casting G and in the pipes r/ g, and when it amountsv to enough to form a drop trickles'down into the generatingchamber B again. rThis only occurs when a very large machine is running a very heavy load. 1t will be seen that by the arrangement described no gas of any kind attacks the carbid immediately about the seat of the tubular feed-valve H, and when the slightly damped or attacked carbid, shown at the heads of the cu rvedarro ws, works down to the feedaperture it is dried to quicklime-dust and feeds as readily as the crystals. Hence my valve never clogs. Further, after the gas escapes from the crown of the arched under sides of the collector L it follows the line of least resistance straight up through the carbid to the little space under the valve D2, as shown by the three arrows in Fig. 2, and so out to the space in the governor-chamber J above the carbid j in the same, and thence directly into the service-pipe. Right here occurs the most novel feature of this invention-namely, that by the means described the gas is compelled to pass right through the upper twothirds of the middle of the carbid j in the governorchamber J without attacking it about its sides -or the feed-valve seat, where it would stay sticky, and clog sooner or later, and by this means I am enabled to use the carbid j in the governor-chamber J as a friction-check or interstitial conduit to wiredraw the gas and take o the varying pressures arising from instantaneous generation and slight changes of water-level in the tank A and the generating-chamber B, producing a practically uniform pressure at the top of the governor-chamber J, and so, also, in the service-pipe, without the use of a gasometer or any form of governor other than the carbid itself. This advantage is enhanced by the fact that in the reservoir C, I have a supply of carbid ample to replenish the governorchamber J with clean fresh carbid unattacked by any moisture as J empties into theI generating-chamber B by the action of the iioat and feed valve and also by the fact that the carbid 7' in the governor-chamber J, while so wiredrawingthe gas and equalizing the pressure as above, serves as the best-known siccative to dry, purify, and, by taking up sensible heat, refrigerate the gas.

The operation of the means for stirring up the sludge and running same off through the faucet A2 for keeping' the faucet clean when in use, Sac., has been so clearly implied in describing the shaker-bar A3, &c., that nothing more is needed in explanation than to say that water run off is of course replaced in the tank A and that sludge is run off whenever on shaking' the shaker-bar A3 it is found that it moves stiifly, indicating an accumulation of sludge in the tank.

After the machine has supplied gas until the carbid-reservoir C is empty which is ascertained by tapping its outer lower conical side) it becomes necessary to recharge same. The operations of opening and closing the aperture in the iinial C at the top have been already fully described, so that here it is only necessary to explain why such care has been taken to provide means involving the neces-l sary closing of the aperture at the bottom of the carbid-reservoir C (in the shoe E) before the second part of the operation of opening IOO IIO

the aperture at the top of the carbid-reserif'oir C (in the iinial C) can be performed, and, conversely, that the said aperture at the top ot' the carbid-reservoir C (in the tinial C) shall necessarily be closed ag'ainst the escape of gas (by the first part of such operation of closing) before the second part of such operation of closing at the same time involves or necessitates the opening' of the aperture at the bottom of the carbid-reservoir C in the shoe E. flien it is remembered that all the g'as in the apparatus above water in the generatingchamber B is always undci' pressure while the water-level in the tank A is higher than the water-level in the generating-chainber B, it becomes evident that if the carbid-reservoir C is put into communication with thc outer air while it is at the same time in communication with the govern or-chamber J, and so with the generatiiig-chamber B, gas will instantly rush out into the outer air at a rate equal to the capacity of the passage so opened and continue to do so until all the carbid in the machine is exhausted. This would cause heat, dirt, disagreeable odors, and possibly accident, besides damagingtheapparatus. Hence the greatest care has been taken'by me to provide means practically infallible to insure the absolute isolation of the carbid-reservoir C from the rest of the apparatus before it can be opened to the outei' air to recharge, and, further, to insure the practical cutting' oli ot' all communication between the carbid-reservoir and the outer air before it shall be possiblein the operation of the parts provided to reestablish communication between the carbidreservoir C and the rest ot' the machine.

What I claim as my invention isw 1n apparatus for generating acetylene, a carbid-chamber having an aperture in its casing through which it may be charged, and an aperture at the bottom, through which it may be emptied, in combination with mechanism for opening and closing the apertures; and a removable key for operating said mechanism, the key and said mechanism being' so constructed that the key cannot be engaged with the mechanism used to open one aperture until it has been used to close the other, substantially as described.

2. In apparatus for generating acetylene, a carbid-'chamber having an aperture in its casing through which it may be charged and an aperture at the bottom through which it may be emptied; a valve for the lower aperture; a threaded val ve-stem secured thereto and having its upper end squared; a stationary nut through which the said spindle is screwed; a gland or collar provided with a central threaded opening and in place at the upper apei'- ture; a box-wrench screwed into the said opening' and adapted to detachably engage the squared upper end of the valve-spii'idle; and a key adapted to engage the gland and boxso shaped that the key cannot be engaged with the gland until it has been engaged with the box-wrench and the valve closed, substantially as described.

3. 'ln apparatus for generating acetylene, a carbid-chamber having an aperture in its casing through which it may be charged and an aperture at the bottom through which it may be emptied; a valve for the lower aperture; a threaded valve-stem secured thereto and having its upper end squared; a stationary nut through which the said spindle is screwed; a gland or collai' provided with a central threaded opening' and in place at the upper aperture; a box-wrench screwed into the said opening and adapted to detachably engage the squared upper end ot' the valve-spindle; and a key adapted to engage the gland and boX- wrench, the key-gland and box-wrench being so shaped that the key cannot be engaged with the gland until it has been engaged with the box-wrench and the valve closed, and so that after being' used to unscrew the gland it cannot be removed Vfor use on the box-wrench till the gland is again screwed in place, substantially as described.

4. ln apparatus for generatingacetylene, a cai'bid-chamber having an aperture in its casing' through which it may be charged, and an aperture at the bottom through which it may beemptied; a valve for the lower aperture; a threaded valvestem secured thereto and1 having its upper end squared; a stationary nut through which the said stem is screwed; a threaded [inial'surrounding the upper aperture; a gland or collar screwed on the said iinial; a box-wrench screwed into the said gland and adapted to detachably engage the squared upper end of the valve-spindle; a boss .formed on the gland and provided with two vertical indentations; a head on the boxwrench provided with similar indentations; and a key shaped to engage the said indentations of either the head or boss, substantially as described.

5. VIn apparatus for generating acetylene, a carbid-chamber having an aperture in its casing' through which it may be charged, and an aperture at the bottom through which it may be emptied; a valve for the lower aperture; ath readed valve-stem secured thereto and having its upper end squared; a stationary nut through which said stem is screwed; a threaded iiniai surrounding the upper aperture; a gland or collar screwed on the said iinial; a box-wrench screwed into the said gland and adapted to detachably eng'ag'e the squared upper end ot' the valve-spindle; a boss formed on the gland and provided with two vertical indentations; a head on the box-wrench provided with similar indentations running only partially through the depth of the head; and a key shaped to engag'e the said indentations o't' either the head or boss, the parts being' so wrench, the key-gland, and box-wrench being' i proportioned that sufficient room cannot be IOO IIO

had between the boss and head for the wrench to be slipped in between the two for engagement with the boss until the valve is entirely closed, substantially as described.

6. In apparatus for g'enerating' acetylene, a carbid-chamber having' an aperture in its casing throug'h whichr it may be charged, and anaperture at the bottom through which it may be emptied; a valve for the lower aperture; a threaded valve-stem secured thereto and having its upper end squared; a stationary nut through which the said stem is screwed; a threaded iinial surrounding' the upper aperture; a g'land or collar screwed on the said iinial; a boxwrench screwed into the said gland and adapted to detachably engage the squared upper end of the valve-spindle; a boss formed on the g'land and provided with vertical indentations running' only partially through the depth of the head; and a key shaped to engag'e the said indentations of either the head or boss, and provided with a web or shroud forming a semi-annular Jflange extending' inwardly at one side of the key, the parts ot' the head, boss` and key being so shaped and proportioned that suiiicient room cannot be had between the boss and head i'or the wrench to be slipped in between the two for eng'ag'ement with the boss until the valve is entirely closed, substantially as described.

'7. In apparatus for generating' acetylene, a carbid-chamber having an aperture in its easing through which it may be charg'ed, and an aperture at the bottom through which it may be emptied; a valve for the lower aperture; a threaded valve-stem secured thereto and having its upper end squared; a stationaryv nut through which the said stem is screwed; a threaded iinial surrounding the upper aperture; a gland or collar screwed on the said linial; a box-wrench screwed into the said gland and adapted to detachably eng'age the squared upper end of the \f'alve-spindle; a boss formed on the gland and provided with two vertical indentations with slanting walls; a head on the box-wrench provided with similarindentations running only partially through the depth ot' the head; and a key shaped to cng'ag'e the said indentations ol either the head or boss, the parts being so proportioned that sui'licient room cannot be had between the boss and head Vfor the wrench to be slipped in between the two for engagement with the boss until the valve is entirely closed, substantially as described. y

8. In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combination ot' a water-tank; a diving-bell generatiiig-chamber secured within the said tank; a carbid-containing' chamber having a horizontal opening `at the bottom communicating' with the interior of the generating chamber; a vertically-movable valve governing the said opening' and located within the carbid-containing' chamber; a lioat adapted to rise and fall with the water-level in the gen- 'Hating-chamber; and a connection between the float and the valve, the connection being' arranged so as to be out oi' line with the aforesaid valve-controlled opening and not passing' through the same, the carbid-chamber having' a special opening' tor the passage ot' the said connection; substantially as described.

9. In apparatus for generating' acetylene, the combination oi' a water-tank; a diving-bell generating-chamber secured within the said tank; a carbid-containing' chamber having' a horizontal opening at the bottom communicating' with. the interior of the generating'- chamber; a vertically-movable open-ended tubular valve g'overning the said opening' and located within the carbid-containing' chamber; a lioat adapted to rise and fall with the waterlevel in the generatingehamber; and a connection between the float and the valve, the connection being arranged so as to be out ot' line with the atorcsaid valve-controlled opening and not passing' through the same, substantially as described.

10. In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combination of a water-tank; a diving-bell -g'eneratiiig-chamber secured within the said tank; a carbid-eontaining' chamber having' a horizontal openingl at the bottom communicating' with the interior of the generating'- ehamber; a vertically-movable open-ended tu bular valve governing the said opening and located within the carbid-containing' chamber; a float adapted to rise and tall with the waterlevel in the generatiiig-chamber; and a connection between the iioat and the valve, substantially as described.

1I. In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combinationoil a water-tank; a diving-bell generating-ch amber rigid ly secured wi thin the said tank; a carbid-containing' chamber having' an opening communicating' with the interior ot' the generating-chamber; a valve g'overning' the said opening; a iioat adapted to rise and tall with the water-level in the generating'- chaniber; an operating'connection between the l'loat and valve passing' through an aperture formed in the carbid-containing chamber; and a cover over the said opening' adapted to prevent carbid t'alling' into the opening' and to conduct gas from the opening' into the body ot' carbid, substantially as described.

l2. In apparatus for generating'acetylene, the combination of a water-tank; a diving-bell generatiiig-chamber secured within the said tank; a carbid-containing chamber having a carbid-opening' and one or more gas-openings formed therein communicating' with the interior oi the g'ener:ming-chamber; a valve governing the carbid-opening; a float within the generating'-chamber adapted to operate the said valve; and a cover over the said gas opening or openings adapted to prevent carbid tall- 'ing into the said openings and to conduct gas from the opening's into the body of the carbid, substantially as described.

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IOS

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13. In apparatus For generating acetylene, the combination of a water-tank; a diving-bell generating-chamber secured within the said tank; a carbid-containing chamber having a carbid-opening' and two gas-openings formed therein communicating with the interior of the gencrating-chamber; an open-ended tubular valve governing the carbid-opening and located within the carbid-chamber; an annular iioat within the generating-chamber; connecting-rods secured to the float passing through the gas-openings and connected with the tubular valve inside the carbid-chamber; and an arched cover secured over the gas-openings and thc upper end olI the valve to exclude carbid, gas-exits being provided at its sides bclow the level ot' the said openings and valvetop. substantially as described.

14. In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combination ot' a water-tank; al diving-bell generating-chamber secured within the said tank; a carbid-containing chamber having an opening communicating' with the interior of the generating-chamber; an open-ended tubular valve governing' the said opening and located within the carbid-chamber; an arched cover secured over the valve to exclude carbid and provided with agas-exit below the level of the upper end ot' the said valve; and a float within the g'encrating-chamber adapted to operate the said valve, substantially as described.

15. In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combination ol a water-tank; a diving-bell generating-chamber secured within the said tank; a carbid-containing' chamber having an opening communicating with the interior of the generating-chamber; an open-ended tubular valve governing the said opening and located within the carbid-chamber; an arched cover secured over the valve to exclude carbid, and provided with central gas-exits at each side below the level of the upper end of the said valve so that gas passing' through the valve is conveyed into the central portions of the carbid in the carbid-chamber; a servicepipe communicating with the interior of the carbid-chamber above the carbid therein; and a lioat within the generating-chamber adapted to operate the said valve, substantially as described.

16. 1n apparatus for generating acetylene, a carbid-containing chamber having its sides formed by a barrel or cylinder, in combination with an lqiour-glass-shaped bottom forming' with the barrel an annular triangular-sectioned water-jacket, a hole or holes being formed in the barrel coi'nmunicating with the upper part of the water-jacket, substantially as described.

17. In apparatus Vlor generatingl acetylene, a carbid-reservoir having an aperture in its lower end; a carbid-containing chamber with which thc said aperture communicates, in combination with a casting forming a valve-seat about the said opening, and provided with a lateral extension having a lug formed thereon having a threaded aperture therein; and a service-pipe passing through the side of the chamber and screwed into the said lug, substantially as described. 1

18. In apparatus for generating acetylene, a -arbid-reservoir having an aperture in its lower end; a carbid-containing Ichamber with which the said aperture communicates, in combination with a casting forming a valve-seat about the said opening', and provided with a lateral extension having a lug 'formed thereon; having a threaded aperture therein and secured to the side of the carbid-chamber; and a service-pipe passing through the side of the chamber and screwed into the said lug, substantially as described.

19. In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combination of a water-tank in which calcium hydrate settles to the bottom; a faucet or draw-ofil cock communicating by a suitable opening with the interior of the tank in the side close to the bottom; a plug adapted to close the said opening from the inside of the tank; and a vertically-movable bar suitably guided and supported to the lower end of which the said plug is rigidly secured, substantially as described.

20. In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combination of a water-tank in which calcium hydrate settles to the bottom; a shakerbar having a vertical portion vertically movable and also rotatable in bearings-on the side of the tank and a laterally-extending lower portion lying on or adjacent to the bottom of the tank; and a chain secured at one end to the end of the lower portion of the shakerbar and the other to the tank at the side opposite the vertical part of the shaker-bar, substantially as described.

21. In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combination of a water-tank in which calcium hydrate settles to the bottom; a faucet or d raw-olii' cock communicating by a suitable opening with the interior of the tank at the bottom; a plug adapted to close the said opening from the inside of the tank; a vertical rod to which the said plug is secured; a central bearing for said rod so shaped that the rod may be rocked in and out in a radial direction in the said bearing and also moved vertically in the same; and a guide-staple for the upper part of the rod, substantially as described.

22. In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combination of a generating-chamber having water therein; a carbid-containing chamber having a carbid-opening and one or more gas-openings formed therein communicating with the interior of the generating-chamber;

means controlled by the gas for controlling the said carbid-opening; and a cover extendingl over all the openings and so shaped as to IIO IIS

collect all the gas passing through the said openings and discharge it close to the axial line of the carbid, substantially as described.

23. In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combination of a Water-tank; a diving-bell generating-chamber secured Within the said tank; a carbid-containing chamber having a carbid-opening and one or more gas-openings formed ltherein communicating with the interior of the generating-chamber; a valve governing the carbid-opening; means for automatically operating the said valve controlled by the consumption of gas; and a cover over the said gas opening or openings adapted to prevent carbid falling into the said openings and to conduct gas f rom the openings into the body of the carbid, substantially as described.

24. In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combination of a Water-tank; a diving-bell generating-chamber secured Within the said tank; a carbid-containing chamber having a carbid-opening and two gas-openings formed therein communicating with the interior of the generating-chamber; an open-ended tubular valve governing the carbid-opening and located Within the carbid-chamber; means for automatically operating the said valve controlled by the consumption of gas; connectingrods secured to the float passing through the gas-openings and connected with the tubular valve inside the carbid chamber; and an arched cover secured over the gas-openings and the upper end of the valve to exclude carbid, gas-exits being provided at its sides below the level of the said openings and valve-top, substantially as described.

25. In apparatusfor generating acetylene, the combination of a Water-tank; a diving-bell generating-chamber secured Within the said tank; a carbid-containing chamber having an opening communicating With the interior of the generating-chamber; a vertically-movable open-ended tubular valve governing the said opening and located Within the 'carbid-containing chamber; a part adapted to rise and fall according to the consumption of gas; a connection between the said part and the valve, the connection being arranged out of line with the aforesaid valve-controlled opening; and a stationary cover over the upper end or' the tubular valve to prevent carbid entering the same.

rloronto, April 23, 1902.

FREDERICK LINDLEY HUNT SIMS.

In presence of- JOHN G. RrDoU'r, J. EDW. MAYBEE. 

